24th Annual Ohio Partnership Hunt Celebrates Conservation, Partnerships and Waterfowling Tradition

Three-day Ducks Unlimited event brings together conservation leaders, private marsh owners and supporters in northwest Ohio

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (Nov. 4, 2026) — For 24 years, Ducks Unlimited’s Ohio Partnership Hunt has brought together people who share a commitment to wetlands, waterfowl and the conservation traditions of northwest Ohio. This year’s event, held Oct. 27-29 in the Lake Erie marsh region, continued that tradition with conservation tours, waterfowl hunts, partner presentations and recognition of individuals whose contributions have helped shape the region’s conservation success.

Hosted in partnership with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Lake Erie Marsh Association, the annual gathering welcomed conservation professionals, state and federal agency representatives, private marsh owners, duck hunting clubs, donors, volunteers and outdoor media.

More than 25 participating duck clubs and private marsh owners opened their properties to guests for guided waterfowl hunts, providing a firsthand look at the region’s waterfowling heritage and the importance of conserving its remaining wetlands.

The event also highlighted ongoing investments in wetland restoration and water quality, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ H2Ohio initiative and Ducks Unlimited’s growing conservation work throughout the state.

During the opening reception Oct. 27, Ohio Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker presented Ducks Unlimited with a $150,000 contribution through Ohio’s Fall Flights program. Funded through Ohio wetland habitat stamp revenues, the program supports waterfowl breeding habitat conservation in Canada, helping sustain the migratory populations that travel through Ohio each fall.

Wecker also emphasized the importance of Ohio’s H2Ohio initiative, which has helped accelerate wetland restoration throughout the state.

“It is a significant transformational investment into natural wetland infrastructure,” Wecker said, highlighting the program’s ability to improve water quality while creating valuable wildlife habitat.

The event also included the announcement of a $1.95M grant from the James M. Cox Foundation to support the permanent protection of high-priority conservation properties in Ohio’s Western Lake Erie Basin. The Foundation is the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises and parent company of Cox Automotive, who endorsed the grant. Full details are available in Ducks Unlimited’s official announcement.

On Oct. 28, attendees toured Howard Marsh Metropark, where representatives of Ducks Unlimited and its conservation partners discussed wetland restoration, habitat management, public access and the importance of partnerships in protecting northwest Ohio’s natural resources. The tour was followed by a luncheon at DeMars Point Hunt and Fish Club.

Conservation presentations throughout the event emphasized the importance of wetlands not only for waterfowl and other wildlife, but also for improving water quality, retaining nutrients and reducing runoff entering Lake Erie.

Eric Saas, H2Ohio coordinator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, highlighted the progress of the state’s wetland restoration efforts during Wednesday evening’s program.

“The good news is our wetlands are working for water quality,” Saas said. “They’re absorbing nutrients when they need to.”

Saas also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among state agencies, Ducks Unlimited and other conservation partners to expand restoration efforts throughout the Lake Erie watershed.

Ducks Unlimited Senior Regional Biologist Russ Terry shared an update on the organization’s growing conservation work in Ohio, including projections for approximately 35 projects encompassing nearly 5,000 acres and $10.5 million in conservation investment during fiscal year 2027.

The gathering also provided an opportunity to recognize several individuals whose service and commitment have made a lasting impact.

During Tuesday evening’s program, Dave Sherman, Wetland Habitat Coordinator at ODOW, received the Partner of the Year Award in recognition of his contributions to conservation and the Ohio Partnership Hunt. Sherman also participated in Wednesday’s conservation tour, sharing insights into the region’s public waterfowl hunting opportunities and the management of northwest Ohio’s marshes.

Wednesday evening featured a particularly meaningful tribute to longtime local waterfowler and marsh manager Bobby Sweeney, who was honored posthumously with the Ohio Hunt MVP Award. Sweeney, who recently passed away, was widely known and respected throughout the Lake Erie marsh community for his knowledge, generosity and decades of involvement in the area’s waterfowling traditions.

DU Regional Director Scott Paschke recalled his first experience hunting at Sweeney’s marsh, where Bobby insisted guests enjoy breakfast and conversation before heading out to hunt. Paschke remembered Sweeney watching from the clubhouse as his guests enjoyed the marsh, always ready afterward with advice about their hunting.

“He was also like the old-school grandfather,” Paschke said. “He would tell you the mistakes you made. But behind your back, it was nothing but love and kindness.”

Paschke also recalled how Sweeney regularly offered additional hunting opportunities to ensure visiting guests could enjoy the experience, even when it meant accommodating more hunters at his own marsh.

His brother, Tim Sweeney, accepted the award during the tribute, which concluded with a toast to Bobby and his enduring place in the local waterfowling community.

Also Wednesday, Shawn Griffith of DeMars Point Hunt and Fish Club received the event’s Punter of the Year Award.

The Ohio Partnership Hunt concluded Oct. 29 following a final morning of waterfowl hunting.

Now in its 24th year, the event remains a celebration of the relationships that make conservation possible, from private landowners and local duck clubs to government agencies, nonprofit organizations and individual supporters. Together, those partnerships continue to advance wetland conservation while preserving northwest Ohio’s rich waterfowling heritage.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.